The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-14
Dr., Gslbraith Assumes Full Control Of the
Management Of the Institution.
Tbs journals Inconsistent Course and Hypo-
critical Howl Touching the Change.
What Ex-superintendent.F Fletcher Said Be-
fore the Investigating Committee of
the Last General Assembly.


and everything Is running as smoothly as
If nothing had happened. The Republican
papers, notably, the Journal and the News,
are denouncing the appointment and try
ing to raise q hullabaloo Just as they did
when DIR. Fletcher was put in charge of the
hospital four years ago. 1t really looks
as II they had resorted to the brain.saving
method of turning to the files and repro
ducing matter printed at that time. A
lengthy editorial entitled "The Outrage
Consummated," was printed in the Journal
of June 8, 1883, in which it was made to
appear that DR.. Rogers was the only man
in the country fitted to be in charge OF the
institution, and that it had been turned
over to spoilsmeni an editorial of the
same tenor printed yesterday and cap,
toned Ca Public Outrage" would
have the people believe that another
great wrong had been done tin
retiring DIR. Fletcher, who had given the
Hospital front rank among the public
charities and who (as it had said of DR..
Rogersl, was the one and only man CON-
petent to manage the institution 8 affairs
properly.
On June 8, 1888, the Journal said edi-
torially:
We greatly mistake the temper of the tax
payers of Indiana, without regard to party, if
the action of Mr.. President Harrison and his
compliment tools: in the degradation OF the
/
" rebuked that an ehectual lesson will
be taught partisan bummeIs and strikers OF all
grades.
The Journal did mistake the temper of
the taxpayers as proved by the ensuing
election.
Here is what the News says now, aud it
will be observed that it is strikingly like
the Journals editorial of four years ago:
The Republicans are saying to-day that If De-
mOcracy Is not beaten in Indisna at the next
- l.
voters in the State who believe IN good govern
ment and the removal OF the spoils system, with
all its abuses and corruption, FRONTING benev-
olent institutions. In the city the Repu0h-
cans say they will reap an advantage from the
action of the trustees as Coy Sullivan. ct al are
directly identified with all OF the abuses charged
up to the Harrison regime.
From time to time attempts have been
msde by the Journal to mislead the pub
lie as TO what DR.. w. B. Fletcher's testi-
mony proved during the Investigation last
winter BY the House and Senate commit
tees. Below the statement gives verbatim
extracts from the Doctors sworn state
ments to the Senate committee.
First, concerning the trustees of the Hos
pital for the Insane, he testified as follows:
Question by Mr.. Spsan-You, Of course,
were personally and intimately acquainted
all this time-four years-with the three
members of the Board-Gapen, BurrelI and
Harrison?
ADswer-Yss, sir.
81 would like to know if you consider
them honorable, straightforward menu"
81 do"
81 would like to know If you consider
Mr.. Gapen good business msn?'
eyes, sir"
"And Mr.. Burrell?'
"Yes, SIR"
"And DR.. Harrison?n
mot as a commercial man, but a good
business man in ordinary affairs" (This
testimony appears on page 420 OF the Sem
ate Committees report.
With reference to the medical staff DR..
Fletcher testified as follows:
You have a very efficient medical staff
out there. have You not?'
II think So"
There is harmony among the msdical
staff. is there not2"
"Yes, so far as / know"
"Your personal relations with your
medical staff are pleasant, are they not2"
"Dr. Thomas is man competent for his
position, is he not?"
81 so regard him, or would not have
him there"
"And that is true of all the doctors you
have out there?"
at is" (see page 421, Senate Commit
tees report)
As to the character OF the Insane
Hospital as a public charity the Doctor
testified as follows:
"You are somewhat and / may say
thoroughly acquainted with the methods
of other institutions of a like kind in this
country, are you not?'
$50 far as 1 could inform myself by
reading and visiting some of them"
Compared with those that you have
be come acquainted with, either by per-
al nj rr hU inf at hn ~
will our hospital compare with those?'
Where 1t is strictly run By State charity
know of none superior, and very few
equal" Page 421 Senate report
Would you expect to run that institu-
ton as a man of wealth and delicate tastes
would ruu the table of his house?"
mo, cir"
"The way that ordinary people eat, dress
and live is about the way to run that in
stitution, isit not?"
"Just about
"You have, of course q great deal of ex-
perience IL matters of this kind, and you
think il is run up to that standard, that is
high standard for an institution Of that
kipd2'
"Yes sir"
"Now, 1 will read from your report for
1886 and see if you still indorse that; page
Is of your report to the Governor for the
year 1886: From a constant personal
observation and daily inspection OF six
physicians, five supervisors, four dining
room stewards, 126 attendants aud five cooks
but enc conclusion can be recorded, that
| ia that all essential foods and many luxur-
| les have been constantly furnished in
sufficient abundance to maintain the pop
ulation in good health, and that in quality
| the food ras as good aud as weH prepared as
| that found on most tables IA America You
still endose that?"
Certainly"
THAT you would consider a little above
| the average of that kind of an institution,
would you notP"
81 believe it Is above the average OF most
| of the American institutions that are run
on our plan of absolute charity" (See
pages 427-428 Senate report.)
THE hospital now is more efficient, in
| your opinion, than it has been heretofore,
Is it not2p
Eyes, SIR"
Now, will ask you If in this improve.
ment you have not had the cooperation Of
all Of the trustees?n
II know nothing 10 the contrary" (See
| page 429 Senate report.l
II has been charged repeatedly that in
| the internal management OF the hospital
| that the trustees have frequen thy and per-
sisteDtly hampered and interfered with
| DR.. Fletcher. This is what the Doctor
/ said on that subject: